Highlighted Aspects this Week
EVERY ELEVEN YEARS or so, the Sun goes through a magnetic reversal — the pole that has had a positive electrical field becomes negative, and the pole that has been negative becomes positive. This shift occurs during what scientists call a “solar maximum,” when the number of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) on the Sun usually dramatically increase.
We are currently a solar maximum period. And, although the number and size of CMEs in this particular solar maximum have not met the expectations of scientists, the CMEs do seem to be succeeding in their purpose.
The solar magnetic “flip” made news headlines this week because scientists believe it should happen sometime in the next three to four months.
A NASA ARTICLE from 2003 explains how the process appears to work:
“The CMEs blast billions of tons of electrified gas into space, carrying away the Sun’s old magnetic field and allowing a new one with a flipped orientation to form. Apparently random CMEs turn out to be signs of the Sun’s diligent housekeeping. It keeps sweeping away, out into space, untidy magnetic fields created by sunspots and other contortions in its atmosphere.
“The climax comes in a busy period of ‘spring cleaning’ after the count of sunspots has peaked, every 11 years. It leaves the Sun with its main magnetic field completely overturned, and its north and south magnetic poles swapped around.”
WHAT DOES this event mean for us? In “real terms,” we can expect more evidence of the interaction of the energy fields of the Sun and our planet Earth, through auroras and variations in Earth’s electromagnetic field. But, as an astrologer, I am of course even more fascinated in what the potentials are for us humans, in personal and spiritual terms.
One thing that intrigues me is that evidently the magnetic flip on the Sun is not instantaneous, but can be drawn out over several months. The last flip occurred from 2000 through 2002. The north pole on the Sun completed its reversal by November 2000, but the south pole was not done with the switch until May 2002.
Like most changes in life, the Sun’s magnetic shift appears to be a process rather than an sudden event.
I ALSO find it interesting to consider that since our Sun started a new magnetic cycle in 2000-2002, our planet and we ourselves also began a new cycle around that time. If I think about my own life, I am aware of significant changes that occurred during those two years, changes that have in some ways defined these past 11 years.
Now we are poised to begin a new cycle once again. We are both completing the phase we’ve been living in and preparing to initiate a new phase.
WE ALL KNOW of specific events that occurred in 2001 that effectively changed many aspects of our society, bringing in new restraints on our freedoms and expanding governmental controls. At the time, it all seemed reasonable, since Fear was in charge.
It’s interesting that some of the governmental “rights” that were put in place 12 years ago are now being questioned. Perhaps we’ve moved beyond being controlled by Fear, and are ready to live life from a different perspective.
THE EVENTS of September 2001 are ones that we mutually shared, so they come quickly to mind as a reference point. But, like me, you may remember other shifts that occurred in your personal life in 2000-2002, changes that have significantly shaped your experience in the years since.
As we prepare for this new solar magnetic flip, we may want to consider what we are completing now, and what issues and themes of the past 11 years we are ready to put behind us. We will also want to think about what magnetic shift we ourselves want to make at this point, knowing that in some ways, we are creating an energetic foundation that will be with us for the next 11 or 12 years.
MERCURY is in the spotlight throughout the coming week, indicating that it’s time for us to come to new conscious awareness of where we are and where we want to go from here. A Pluto-Mercury aspect on Tuesday requires an adjustment in our thinking, especially in any ways we’ve been feeling superior or “more entitled” than others.
On Thursday, Mercury is even more active — the messenger planet squares the Moon’s Nodes, trines Uranus and is quincunx Chiron. This indicates a highly energized day, when we have the opportunity to conceive breakthrough ideas but are also challenged to keep the bigger picture in mind, and to understand at a deeper level the truth that “we are all one.”
TOWARD WEEK’S END, we have quite a mix of planetary energies to work with. On Friday, Venus enters Libra for a four-week stay, helping us find new balance, harmony and equity in our relationships.
The drawback to Venus in Libra can be an exaggerated need to please others, motivated out of our desire to be liked or loved. It may help remember that Libra the Scales works best when self and other are in balance, neither considered better or more deserving than the other.
ALSO ON FRIDAY, Jupiter trines the North Node, enabling us to take large strides in the direction of our higher purpose and personal growth. And, even though contentious Pluto-Sun and Mars-Eris aspects may bring some uncomfortable moments for our egos, we can also utilize a helpful Saturn-Sun aspect to move beyond the surface explanations and find a supportive truth.
On Saturday, the Sun aligns with Ceres in Leo, inspiring creative self-expression and helping boost self-esteem and confidence. Because Ceres rules home and hearth, this may be a very good day to do work around the home or with family.
On Sunday, as Mercury aligns with Vesta in Leo, our ego involvement and need for approval may become more obvious. But, this alignment can be very positive in helping us express our thoughts — as long as we make sure the other person wants to hear what we are wanting to share!
Blessings,
Pam
